Nine dragons fight for the throne, I don't want to sit on this throne

"Oh? Are the three brothers quarreling?"

East Palace, inside the main hall.

Chu Ning, who accompanied Shen Wanying back from the burial, met with Di Wenyao and Deng Hongwen.

What happened in the court that morning was also learned from these two people.

Hearing the three princes quarreling over the position of Zongzheng, Chu Ning showed an amusement on his face.

"It seems that they still have ambitions for this position."

Chu Ning shook his head: "But this is also what I expected. After all, no one would miss such an opportunity."

"But unfortunately, compared with other royal relatives, their qualifications are not enough."

"Let them quarrel for a few days. When other royal relatives arrive, Kyoto City will become lively."

Deng Hongwen nodded slightly: "This matter is of great importance, and His Highness also said that it needs to be assessed, but I don't know what kind of assessment it is, and whether the Ministry of Rites needs to arrange it in advance?"

The Ministry of Rites must make arrangements for such a big thing, but he still doesn't know the content of the assessment.

Even Di Wenyao couldn't help but ask, "Yes, Your Highness, there are so many royal relatives, what do you want to test them on?"

Chu Ning raised the corner of his mouth slightly, and just as he was about to speak, Zhao Yu's voice came from outside the hall:

"Your Highness, the three princes have arrived and are arguing outside over who should see you first."

Chu Ning was stunned, then shook his head and chuckled, "Let them come in together."

"Yes!"

Soon, there was a noise outside the hall.

"It was obviously me who came here first, why did you come in with me?"

"Seventeenth brother, this is where you are wrong. I am your elder brother, so why can't I come in with you?"

"Okay, stop arguing, we're already here."

Amid the noise of the three people, the three of them came into the hall together.

"Greetings to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!" The three of them bowed and said in unison.

Chu Ning glanced at the three people and couldn't help but laugh. All three of them were holding boxes or bottles in their hands.

"My three brothers, there is no need to be so polite. Come, take a seat, and serve tea."

The eunuch brought three tables and chairs, and the maid brought hot tea.

The three of them were not polite and sat in their seats according to their ages.

But then, the scene fell silent, and none of the three people wanted to speak.

Di Wenyao and Deng Hongwen looked at each other, then stood up and bowed:

"Your Highness, I and Lord Deng will go down first to discuss the reception of the royal family."

"I'm waiting to retire."

They knew that the three princes were concerned about their presence and there were things they didn't want them to know, so they left tactfully.

Chu Ning nodded slightly and did not stop him.

After the two left, Chu Ning looked at the three princes and asked with a smile, "Why did you three come to see me?"

The fifteenth prince Chu Xuan stood up with a smile: "I heard that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is collecting cultivation resources for Shen Zhengqing. I have some things suitable for his cultivation. Please accept them."

Chu Ning narrowed his eyes and showed a hint of amusement.

It turns out he came to show goodwill.

"I accept this gift in front of my three brothers. Will they complain to my father?"

There was a hint of teasing in Chu Ning's tone.

The fifteenth prince glared, pointed at Chu Yun and Chu Bin, and sneered, "Your Highness, they didn't come empty-handed either."

The sixteenth prince Chu Bin immediately stepped forward and said with a smile, "Your Highness, don't worry. This is just a small token of my appreciation. How could I possibly tell my father?"

Chu Yun couldn't help but stand up and said loudly: "Shen Zhengqing's body is average, this pill of mine can increase his body's strength, please accept it, Your Highness."

"As for Father, Prince, don't worry. How could we possibly disturb Father with such a trivial matter?"

The three people's words were surprisingly consistent.

They will not tell the emperor about this.

Chu Ning certainly knew that these three people would not tell anyone about this, after all, the other party was offering bribes!

He didn't believe that these three people would send gifts to show their goodwill for no reason. They must have something to ask of him.

And now they need his help, which must be related to the position of Zong Zheng.

Thinking of this, Chu Ning shook his head: "My three brothers, please explain your intentions. I don't want to accept your gifts for no reason."

The fifteenth prince Chu Xuan glanced at the other two people. Seeing that they were also looking at him, he made a prompt decision and said in a deep voice:

"Prince, I came here to ask you about the selection of the chief of the clan. Do you have anyone in mind?"

The other two were also staring at Chu Ning closely at this moment, looking nervous, afraid that Chu Ning would reveal the names of other people.

But Chu Ning shook his head, looking distressed: "Speaking of this, this palace is also in a dilemma. There are so many royal relatives, and this palace doesn't know who to choose."

"Choose this king!"

The fifteenth prince quickly took over the topic: "I am older than the two of them, and I know more than them. I am the most suitable candidate..."

"Brother Fifteen!"

The Sixteenth Prince interrupted Chu Xuan before he could finish, "Who says that the older you are, the more you know? If we talk about the ability to handle government affairs, I am better than you!"

But the seventeenth prince shook his head repeatedly: "Although my two brothers are older, I am no worse than you!"

He turned to look at Chu Ning and said sternly: "Prince, if you can recommend me, I am willing to give you half of my property!"

Since you dare to come, you must be full of sincerity.

The other two's faces suddenly changed when they heard this.

Although they also brought other gifts, they didn't expect that the Seventeenth Prince would ask for half of the inheritance right away!

"Prince, I am willing to give you half of my property!" The fifteenth prince immediately followed, fearing that Chu Ning would be moved.

The Sixteenth Prince was also panicking at this moment, and immediately stated: "I am also willing to offer half of my inheritance."

Good man, either you come or you don’t come, but when you come you give so many things.

Chu Ning looked at the three of them with a playful look on his face, and his expression was somewhat helpless: "My three brothers are making things difficult for me."

"You have both handed over half of your inheritance, and I don't know who to choose."

"How about this? I will give you a fair chance and tell you about this test in advance so that you can prepare in advance!"

"And the price is 30% of your assets."

Although I did not agree to their request, I did offer a condition that the other party could accept.

If he agrees, Chu Ning will be able to obtain 30% of the three people's assets, which is also a considerable gain.

The three of them looked at each other when they heard this. Although they were a little surprised that Chu Ning refused, it was also reasonable.

After all, their conditions were the same, and Chu Ning certainly couldn't make a choice.

But it’s better this way, since they know what the test will be in advance, they can plan ahead.

"Okay, I agree!"

"In this case, I have no choice but to agree."

"Prince, just tell me, what is the test this time?"

The three agreed without hesitation.

Chu Ning narrowed his eyes and said in a cold voice: "My three brothers should still remember that someone in the country secretly spread news that was unfavorable to me, right?"

"This time, the test is to find out who is behind this. Whoever finds out who spread the news will become the chief patriarch!"

It turns out that this was the purpose of Chu Ning summoning the kings to the capital this time!